Construction and Robotics: Problems and Solutions

The role of robotics in construction, and the role played by construction engineers (CE's) is placed in perspective. Robot development, like machine manufacture, has always been a domain of industrial, electrical and mechanical (IEM) engineers. CE's engaged in robotic R&D are generally ill-equipped to undertake anything more than knowledge structuring. For the construction manager (CM), the robot is seldom anything more than another equipment item requiring prosaic investment and maintenance. Only through effective team-work between IEM engineers, CE's and researchers can construction robotics be successfully implemented. Construction robot development must focus on end-product manufacture to attract financial investments. This paper defines robots, and mentions areas of robot design. But it must be realized that robots in construction are not an end panacea in themselves: they must fit into the construction management scheme of things, as do other pieces of equipment. Robots must also fit into the larger aspect of computer-integrated construction (CIC), for proper effectiveness of co-ordination and control interpretation. Though robots promote the cause of automation and Al, there are other avenues as well of attaining to construction automation and general intelligence.